S Korea's Moon scraps Tokyo trip over 'unacceptable' diplomat remarks | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Sunday
July 13, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
SUNDAY, JULY 13, 2025
S Korea's Moon scraps Tokyo trip over 'unacceptable' diplomat remarks

Politics

Reuters
19 July, 2021, 05:25 pm
Last modified: 19 July, 2021, 05:25 pm

Related News

  • South Korea to follow previously agreed terms on defence cost sharing with US: Yonhap
  • South Korea's former President Yoon to attend hearing on detention warrant
  • Trump unveils 25% tariffs on goods from Japan, S Korea in letters to leaders
  • South Korea court to hold July 9 hearing on ex-leader Yoon's detention warrant
  • South Korea prosecutors file request to detain ex-president Yoon

S Korea's Moon scraps Tokyo trip over 'unacceptable' diplomat remarks

The announcement came after Seoul lodged a protest over a news report on Friday that a senior diplomat at Japan's embassy in Seoul had said Moon was "masturbating" when describing his efforts to improve relations between the two countries

Reuters
19 July, 2021, 05:25 pm
Last modified: 19 July, 2021, 05:25 pm
South Korea's President Moon Jae-in delivers a speech during the opening ceremony of the 21st National Assembly, in Seoul, South Korea July 16, 2020. Jung Yeon-je/Pool via REUTERS
South Korea's President Moon Jae-in delivers a speech during the opening ceremony of the 21st National Assembly, in Seoul, South Korea July 16, 2020. Jung Yeon-je/Pool via REUTERS

South Korean President Moon Jae-in will not visit Tokyo for the upcoming Olympics, his office said on Monday, scrapping plans for what would have been his first summit with Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga.

The announcement came after Seoul lodged a protest over a news report on Friday that a senior diplomat at Japan's embassy in Seoul had said Moon was "masturbating" when describing his efforts to improve relations between the two countries.

"President Moon has decided not to visit Japan," Moon's press secretary Park Soo-hyun told a briefing, adding both sides had explored ways to tackle rows over history and boost cooperation but failed to reach agreement.

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

"The discussions were held amicably and made considerable progress, but it still fell short of being considered as a summit result, and we took other circumstances into account," Park said, without elaborating.

Suga declined to comment on Moon's decision, but described the Japanese diplomat's remarks as "inappropriate."

Moon's office said it turned "sceptical" about his potential trip after the Japanese diplomat's "unacceptable" comment.

Moon will instead send the culture minister to Friday's opening ceremony as head of the Korean delegation, his office said, wishing Japan safe and successful Olympics.

The latest uproar further inflamed relations between the two nations feuding over territorial claims and their wartime history, dashing any remaining hopes that the Tokyo Games might offer a fresh start for bilateral and regional cooperation.

The neighbours have long been at odds over compensation for Koreans forced to work in Japanese firms and military brothels during Japan's 1910-45 colonial rule.

Last month, another spat erupted over a map on the Tokyo Olympics website showing a set of Korea-controlled islands as Japanese territory.

Japan's Yomiuri newspaper earlier on Monday reported Moon would meet Suga in Tokyo on Friday, but both governments quickly denied a meeting had been finalised, with Moon's office citing an "last minute obstacle."

Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato said Tokyo's ambassador in Seoul Koichi Aiboshi cautioned his deputy over his "regrettable" remarks, but did not elaborate when asked whether he would be sacked as reported by Yomiuri.

South Korea's vice foreign minister, Choi Jong-kun, summoned Aiboshi on Saturday to protest. Moon's office said it took note of Kato's comment, but called for Tokyo to take steps to prevent such a situation from recurring.

Suga this month called relations between Japan and South Korea "very difficult", adding that it was up to Seoul to address history disputesand other problems.

Moon had earlier hoped the Olympics may offer an opportunity for North and South Korea to improve relations and revive peace talks, before Pyongyang announced it would not take part because of coronavirus concerns.

Top News / World+Biz

south korea / Japan / Yoshihide Suga / Moon Jae-in

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • Infographic: TBS
    Dollar price plummets by Tk2.9 in a week as demand wanes
  • Screengrab blurred
    Mitford murder sparks political storm as BNP on backfoot, Jamaat and NCP pounce
  • Representational image
    Some issues remain unresolved despite progress in 2nd round of US tariff talks: Press Minister Mortoza

MOST VIEWED

  • Representational image
    In addition to 35% tariff, US demands 40% local value addition for 'Made in Bangladesh' goods
  • RAB Director General AKM Shahidur Rahman speaks at the press briefing on a fake bomb threat on Biman Bangladesh flight on Saturday, 12 July 2025. Photo: TBS
    Mother faked bomb threat on Biman flight to stop married son from flying with girlfriend: RAB
  • Screengrab blurred
    Killers bash in head of man with rock, stomp body with perverse pleasure
  • Photo: UNB
    Saima Wazed Putul ‘placed on indefinite leave’ from WHO role amid corruption allegations
  • How tender rules and a lone bidder stall a $2.5b power plant
    How tender rules and a lone bidder stall a $2.5b power plant
  • Bangladesh and US hold tariff talks on 11 July 2025. Photo: CA Press Wing
    Dhaka, Washington yet to agree on 20% of US tariff conditions: BGMEA

Related News

  • South Korea to follow previously agreed terms on defence cost sharing with US: Yonhap
  • South Korea's former President Yoon to attend hearing on detention warrant
  • Trump unveils 25% tariffs on goods from Japan, S Korea in letters to leaders
  • South Korea court to hold July 9 hearing on ex-leader Yoon's detention warrant
  • South Korea prosecutors file request to detain ex-president Yoon

Features

The 2020 Harrier's Porsche Cayenne coupe-like rear roofline, integrated LED lighting with the Modellista special bodykit all around, and a swanky front grille scream OEM Plus for the sophisticated enthusiast looking for a bigger family car that isn’t boring. PHOTO: Ahbaar Mohammad

2020 Toyota Harrier Hybrid: The Japanese Macan

12h | Wheels
The showroom was launched through a lavish event held there, and in attendance were DHS Motors’ Managing Director Nafees Khundker, CEO Imran Zaman Khan, and GMs Arman Rashid and Farhan Samad. PHOTO: Akif Hamid

GAC inaugurate flagship showroom in Dhaka

12h | Wheels
After India's visa restriction, China's Kunming is drawing Bangladeshi patients

After India's visa restriction, China's Kunming is drawing Bangladeshi patients

1d | Panorama
Photo: Collected/BBC

What Hitler’s tariff policy misfire can teach the modern world

2d | The Big Picture

More Videos from TBS

Why is there a mystery surrounding the death of 'Jalibi' actress Humaira?

Why is there a mystery surrounding the death of 'Jalibi' actress Humaira?

4h | TBS World
Why cockpit audio deepens the mystery of Air India crash

Why cockpit audio deepens the mystery of Air India crash

5h | Others
Housing officer shot in Pallavi for not paying bribe

Housing officer shot in Pallavi for not paying bribe

5h | TBS Today
BNP does not protect criminals like Sheikh Hasina: Rizvi

BNP does not protect criminals like Sheikh Hasina: Rizvi

5h | TBS Today
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net